To think is not too nosy?

[azureazure]

My dp thinks I’m very nosy. I think I’m inquisitive. If someone tells me something and it interests me, I will do some research on the topic later. Or if I meet someone who interests me, I’ll look them up later.

Most recent example he thought was strange is that we went on holiday and got talking to a couple. Knew first names only and the area they lived in. They mentioned they’d just sold their business and seemed like they had a LOT of money. They were also very vague about what the business was but said along the lines of “We sold carpets”.

So from that info I was able to spend about 20 mins tracking down who they were. Could see how much their business sold for and how much their house cost e t c

Does anyone else do this? I’m just interested in people. I can find out lots off little info and see it perhaps as a challenge for my detective skills.

This is why I hate people, 🤮 if anyone knows of a desert island I can move too with no one around, please let me no

I’m sure she does other things with her spare time too- There are a lot of hours in the day to do a variety of things.

Omg that’s so me!
if I go to someone’s house, when I remember I’ll check sold prices on right move to have a nosy to see what house prices are in that area.

i looooooove to know about people finances and how they manage them- just curiosity! My DH thinks I’m a nosy sod too!

Dont be silly. You’d innocently mention it to someone you sat next to in the airport on your way, not realising she was someone who ‘is curious about people’ and ‘prides herself on her detective skills’, and within twenty minutes, knowing only your first name and your shoe size, she’d have found out how much you sold your house for, how much you paid for the island, and be ogling it on Google Earth, while periodically checking on Flightradar to see whether your supply plane was on time.

You definitely need to get a life.

Being so interested in others peoples lives is not normal.

This is not normal.

The holiday thing - ouch 🫣. That sounds quite intrusive. I can see why your partner thinks it’s a bit much.

Hah, thanks for confirming I work in the right job! My non-fundraising colleagues (small charity) always get nervous when I tell them what I've found out about surprise and prospective donors 😅

I do it in non-work life, but don't usually tell people because most don't respond well. @DeltaAlphaDelta79 I hadn't heard of OSINT as a sector in itself so thank you - perhaps my next career!

Curious. Are you on the spectrum as it sounds like something my child who is would do

God you sound creepy.

Just because the information is available it doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to stick your nose into other people’s private financial affairs.

I have never looked up my friends’ house prices even though I easily could, because I respect them and their privacy. I’m aware some people may be nosy and have checked my house price etc. but it’s really cheap behaviour.

Looking up a stranger you just met briefly on holiday is a whole other level of creepiness. Note to self: limit talk to strangers, and make up an alias.

I'm exactly the same and have a natural curiosity over people most don't seem to. My friends are the same but I do think there's probably a link between neurodiversity and people more likely to be curious or do this. I too hear you over the "detective challenge" as this is me, also. I once looked up what a past crush was selling on ebay but had to be careful not to mention in conversation by accident that he wanted to flog his games console or whatever.. lol. If someone I know is flying, sometimes I'll enjoy the fun of tracking their flight on FlightRadar as I enjoy FlightRadar and plane stuff.

I remember one guy I met online managed to track where I lived just through a photo of the local Chinese and a couple of other photos. And no, he wasn't a stalker. I found it quirky as it meant his level of curiosity matched mine.

I told someone else about this post and how it's seen to many as like looking in your bathroom cabinet and she said she WOULD have a glance in the cabinet, if in a bathroom, too.

In reply to posters saying would we share this TO the person in person we looked them up? No. But not because I think it is wrong, just more the attitudes of people get offended so best not to mention in the way I'd avoid any other subject, often.

As far as Love Island goes, I do watch it but not for the shallow side, I just am fascinated by human dynamics and seeing how people who are considered "conventionally attractive" interact with "each other" in a rare social setting that wouldn't usually happen.

I don't want to be around people in person that much. But people ARE interesting. I enjoy learning about them. It's no less valuable than looking up history/culture or whatever other subject that is deemed more intellectual.

You need to find another hobby, your current one is border unhealthy.

Yes, this is absolutely creepy behavior. You're treating other people as characters in your personal universe. Go read a mystery novel if you want to hone your detective skills.

To the people who've admitted they do this, I'd love to know why you feel entitled to seek this information out. What makes you think that it's any of your business?
I think the PP is right that it's a control thing, or a way to feel superior/like you have one up on them.
The fact you wouldn't tell your targets that you know this information suggests you know it's underhand, sly and two faced to do it.

You are nosy.

I was about to say something negative but I remembered my best friend does this sort of snooping on people (including me) and she’s ok. I just laugh about it.

I am fed up with posters suggesting that there's a link between neuro diversity and a tendency to indulge in this kind of online stalking.

Some neuro diverse people will have this as a special interest; others won't. Some NT people are very nosy; others aren't.

I'm autistic but don't snoop on people.

But what is wrong with your life that this strikes you as a better way of spending your time than any other possible pastime?

Well, it’s all subjective isn’t it. I personally have no interest in watching 22 people kick a ball around for 90 minutes. But a lot of other people seem to quite like it.

We’re all different and have different preferences. I happen to find it interesting to randomly google someone I used to know and lost touch with to see what they’re doing, where they’re living etc.

I think the fact you want to hide the fact you do this shows you know absolutely it’s not ok , that it’s not just curiousity. Or being a detective, which is the oddest tning, it’s not you’re worried someone would be offended, you know they would and they’d think bad of you.

if you need to do what you’re doing Im secret. Then you know it’s not ok.

at least own it.

This thread is incredible, some of you here are wasted not working as private investigators.

Mumsnetters can find out information quicker than MI5.
Where the latest sold out boden dress is stocked to how much Sean and Andrea next door bought their house for in 2002, mn detectives are on the case.

Snap, me too and I think this stalking (and yes that’s what it is not being nosy) is ridiculous

But this is MN where a thread can’t stay up unless ND is mentioned as a cause of whatever issue is being discussed.

💯

Do people still buy Boden?

Yes I’m also a nosey detective in my spare time… just this weekend, an influencer announced that she was moving home… snooped in the comments, got the general area and had a good snoop on rightmove and half hour later, I found her new mansion. I just see it as a personal challenge rather than being nosey

This thread only gets more depressing.

I bet there are some posters on here that would take the opportunity to snoop at someone’s medical records given half a chance. Just being inquisitive after all

They are just as private as an address or salary but apparently those are fair game going by this thread

That’s one of the most depressing things I’ve read on here.